'There must be no compromise in the face of arson, although it might have been considered in its absence.'
Sabah JPs urge 'compromise' on Allah row
Francis T Rozario: You are asking us to compromise on the name of God? The Allah issue is a non-issue. It was made one. There is always talk about compromise and tolerance. But it is our constitutional right to use the word ‘Allah'. Why should East Malaysia and West Malaysia have different standards?
There are almost 900,000 Christians in East Malaysia. Many of them are here in West Malaysia. They pray here, our children are taught here in Bahasa Malaysia. It has become the lingua franca of the region. So should double standards kick in just because some Umno politician wants it that way?
The JPs (Sabah's justices of peace) asking for this compromise are clearly those who have been bought over. We are wary of how the Court of Appeal will decide. We have seen how their decisions are made in such circumstances. Now to win the hearts of the East, they ask for this ‘compromise?'
KayKay: All these comments were made by people who just saw the word "compromise" and jumped to conclusions. Read the article first before commenting. The suggestion by the JPs allows the Home Ministry to recognise that the term ‘Allah' can be used in print in East Malaysia and in print in West Malaysia (for East Malaysians only and those educated in Malay).
These are recognition of historical facts. If historical facts are recognised, what more do you want? Rub the noses of the Malays in the dirt?
The suit is a separate issue. The court should rule whether the home minister had a right to prohibit the Herald from using the term ‘Allah' for God in its Bahasa Malaysia pages. It must be remembered that the term ‘Allah' is not being used in the English, Tamil or Chinese editions of the Herald . The issue is only regarding print.
No one is asking permission from anyone for the right to use ‘Allah' for ‘God' in prayer, service and worship.
Aramsa: The right of worship and the right of addressing God cannot be compromised. For that, you have got to seek God's permission. Religious beliefs and faith cannot be twisted and turned just because someone with greater strength dictates to you how you should address or worship God. That faith then becomes doubtful.
Christians can forgive but Christians cannot take the name of God in vain. Our God is a loving God, but He is also a fearsome God if you incur His wrath.
Lim Soon Hock: The compromise advocated by the justices of peace is extremely shortsighted and untenable, to say the least. Firstly, the issue is not just about the case involving the Herald and the Catholic church. It involves the Catholic church as a whole in Malaysia.
Secondly, the issue does not affect just the Christians of East Malaysia or of East Malaysian origin, but all Christians in Malaysia.
Thirdly, the issue is not about the right of just Christians, but the right of all Malaysians to practise their religion without restriction. It is not for the government, or any other authority, to tell another religion what they can do or cannot do (unless it causes harm to others).
Freedom of religion as a fundamental right must be a given. In the present case, the church in Malaysia must be accorded the fundamental right to use the word ‘Allah' to refer to God whenever Bahasa Malaysia, the national language, is used as the medium of communication.
Jbss: We are insulting the intelligence of the Malays in stating that they are not being able to differentiate between their Allah the other peoples' gods. Our Malay brothers and sisters can think just as well, if not better, than the Arabs. It is only the BN government that does not trust their capability to do so.
John Smith: The case was, in my opinion, ill-advised. Yet now that it is no longer about the word ‘Allah' but about the right of Christians to worship God unimpeded, any compromise made here will reward the arsonists and ensure that the same strategy be used the next time someone wants to force Christians into subjugation.
There must be no compromise in the face of arson, although it might have been considered in its absence.
Nil: Compromises won't solve the problem. Only the majority Muslims themselves can do it by coming out to condemn the selfish and cowardly acts of arson and to identify those responsible so that they can be brought to book.
The majority of Muslims should realise that the burnings have tarnished the good name of Islam. Overseas Muslims should also condemn the burnings and put pressure on the Malaysian government to solve the problem.
The culprits should be made known and roped in NOW.
Churches attacked in S'wak, Perak and Malacca
Rajm: The inspector-general of police had the manpower to block all roads in and out of Kuala Lumpur to curb peaceful Hindraf members and supporters from gathering and you tell me that the Christians should hire their own security to guard churches?
Perak Boleh: I suggest that IGP Musa Hassan round up two Indian chaps and beat them up to sign a false confession that they are the arsonists. Case solved. Everybody's happy that the police did a good job.
RubyStar: The firebombing and attacks on churches have escalated since the irresponsible words and action or inaction by our prime minister and our home minister. Though their methods are clumsy and not the hallmark of professional terrorists, this will lead to a lot of copycats trying to undo each other.
The inaction of these two leaders are really worrying. Giving some money to the churches to repair the damage is more of a public relations exercise. If need be, the churches can galvansze the masses, and donations will come pouring in locally and overseas.
Will Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein take some bold action instead of instead of ranting rhetoric and telling the mainstream media that everything is under control and that there is nothing to fear?
Vick Vera: Save Taiping! It is the most peaceful of all the towns in Malaysia. The perpetrators have taken advantage of the peacefulness in Taiping. I think the PM has let us down. Never mind. We forgive you. But we won't forget. We'll see you in the next general election.
Smike: I'm from Taiping. I went there today and took some photos. I spoke to a few police officers and told them it was very, very sad to see all this happening. They replied by saying, ‘Kita orang pun sedih' (We too are sad).
Multi Racial: If Najib is sincere in his pursuit of greater unity and efficiency, he should take the following action immediately:
1) Remove the home minister and all senior officers in the ministry and replace them with people who can advise you to do the right things.
2) Remove Utusan Malaysia 's chief editor and all those involved in inflaming the feeling of their readers.
3) Remove those leaders in the NGOs involved in inciting hatred against Christians
4) Remove the IGP if the police are unable to catch all those who attacked the churches within 14 days.
5) Withdraw your appeal to the court.
6) Warn all government servants and NGOs against dividing the country and inciting hatred
7) Publicly support the right to the use of the word ‘Allah' by other religions, such as was done by PAS and PKR.
Allah controversy: Damage done, what now?
DC: It is not the end but the beginning. The matter is on appeal. Can you imagine if the appeal is dismissed. No doubt justice should prevail but this is Malaysia - the land wherein Dr Mahathir Mohamad screwed up the justice system and taught Umno members not to respect the law. The actual show will be when the appeal is determined.
Ong Guan Sin: For the record, various Pakatan Rakyat leaders have been calling for dialogue. They do not try to impose solutions or ideas. I call that true leadership for the nation.
Habsah Ibrahim: Read the articles from website A Common Word . It may help to understand the common word initiative which have taken by Islamic scholars from the world - 138 Muslim scholars, clerics and intellectuals have come together for the first time since the days of the Prophet to declare the common ground between Christianity and Islam.
